Portable pole

ABSTRACT

A portable pole for use as a line support and the like, includes an elongated generally upright standard adapted to have a lower end portion thereof supported on or extending into a support surface and a cross member mounted on the standard adjacent the lower end portion and engageable with the support surface and a pair of inclined lateral brace members, each extending between and connected to the standard and to a respective opposite end of the cross member. A brace structure has an upper end portion pivotally mounted on the standard at a position above the lateral brace members and has a lower end portion engageable with the support surface at a location spaced from the cross member and a connector mounted on the standard adjacent the upper end thereof for receiving and supporting an elongated line extending from the standard in a direction substantially normal to the cross member.

United States Patent [191 Cobb PORTABLE POLE [76] Inventor: Roy L. Cobb,716 Bennington,

Kansas City, Mo. 64125 [22] Filed: Dec. 4, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 311,687

[52] US. Cl 2ll/ll9.0l, 248/156, 248/158 [51] Int. Cl. D06f 53/00 [58]Field of Search ..21l/119.01,119.1,1'1902, 211/ll9.03, 178 R, 182;248/156, 353, 439,

[5 6] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,423,643 7/1922 Buchan...248/166 2,524,490 10/1950 Swett 248/158 X 2,638,231 5/1953 Tardie et a1.211/1 19.01 2,691,203 10/1954 Wilder 211/182 X 2,896,347 7/1959 Hortman38/103 X 2,927,755 3/1960 Goforth 248/156 X FOREIGN PATENTS ORAPPLICATIONS 734,243 5/1966 Canada 248/156 1 July 16, 1974 PrimaryExaminer-Ramon S. Britts Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Fishbum, Gold & Litman5 7] ABSTRACT A portable pole for use as a line support and the like,

includes an elongated generally upright standard adapted to have a lowerend portion thereof supported on or extending into a support surface anda cross member mounted on the standard adjacent the lower end portionand engageable with the support surface and a pair of inclined lateralbrace members, each extending between and connected to the standard andto a respective opposite end of the cross member. A brace structure hasan upper end portion pivotally mounted on the standard at a positionabove the lateral brace members and has a lower end portion engageablewith the support surface at a location spaced from the cross member anda connector mounted on the standard adjacent the upper end thereof forreceiving and supporting an elongated line extending from the standardin a direction substantially normal to the cross member.

7 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures PORTABLE POLE The present invention relatesto portable poles and more particularly to a portable pole for use insupporting clothes lines, badminton nets, and the like.

The principle objects of the present invention are: to provide aportable pole which is versatile in use, such as for supporting aclothes line, badminton net, dog-run line, and the like; to provide sucha portable pole adapted to be erected on a ground surface, such as inlawns, parks and the like, with a portion extending therein or erectedon a hard or impervious surface, such as asphalt, concrete, roof decksand the like; to provide such a portable pole which effects minimumdamage to lawns, parks,.and the like, when erected on a ground surface;to provide such a portable pole which is collapsible to a minimum space;and to provide such a portable pole which is light in weight, easily andquickly assembled and relocated, stable in use, economical tomanufacture, adapted to support large weight, and particularly welladapted for the proposed use.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent fromthe following description taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawings wherein are set forth by way of illustration and examplecertain embodiments of this invention.

The drawings constitute a part of this specification andinclude anexemplary embodiment of the present invention and illustrate variousobjects and features of the portable pole.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portable pole embodying features ofthe present invention and shown in place on a ground surface.

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of one side of the portable pole.

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the other side of the portablepole.

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the portable pole.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged transverse sectional view taken on line 5-5, FIG.2 and showing a novel fitting for connecting a brace structure to theportable pole.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged transverse sectional view taken on line 66, FIG. 2and showing the novel fitting connecting lateral brace members to thepole.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged transverse sectional view taken on line 77, FIG. 2and showing a connection of components of a lateral brace.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the portable pole mounted on a hard orimpervious surface.

Referring more in detail to the drawings:

As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosedherein. However, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodimentsare merely exemplary of the invention which may be embodied in variousforms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosedherein are not to be interpreted as limiting but merely as a basis forthe claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in thearts to variously employ the present invention in virtually anyappropriate detailed structure.

In the disclosed embodiment of the present invention, the referencenumeral 1 generally'designates a portable pole for use as a support fora clothes line, badminton net, and the like. The portable pole includesan elongated generally upright standard 2 adapted to have a lower endportion 3 thereof extending into a support surface 4, such as in soil, alawn, or the like and a cross member 5 mounted on the standard 2adjacent the lower end portion 3 and engageable with the support surface4. The pole is laterally braced relative to the cross member as by apair of generally inclined lateral brace members 6 and 7 each extendingbetween and connected to the standard 2 and to opposite ends 8 and 9respectively of the cross member 5. The portable pole 1 includes a bracestructure 10 having an upper end portion 11 thereof pivotally mounted onthe standard 2 at a position above the lateral brace members 6 and 7 andhaving alower end portion 12 engageable with the support surface 4 at alocation spaced from the cross member 5. The portable pole I has aconnector 14 mounted on the standard 2 adjacent an upper end 15 thereoffor receiving and supporting an end portion of an elongated line 16extending from the standard 2 in a direction substantially normal to thecross member 5 and toward the brace structure 10.

The standard 2 is an elongated member preferably tubular for strengthand lightness in weight and has a plurality of apertures 17 in the lowerend portion 3 of the standard 2. It is desirable that the lower endportion 3 be adapted to be driven into a ground surface, such as insoil, lawns, parks and the like. It is also desirable that the standard2 have a finished appearance, therefore, a suitable cap 18 is mounted onthe upper end 15 of the standard 2.

The cross member 5 isalso an elongated member,

preferably tubular for lightness in weight and has a center aperture(not shown) intermediate the opposite ends 8 and 9 thereof. The crossmember 5 is mounted on or connected to'the standard 2 by a suitablefastening device, such as a bolt 19 extending through the centeraperture in the cross member 5 and through one of the apertures 17 inthe lower end portion 3 of the standard 2. A suitable nut is mounted onthe bolt 19 to hold the cross member 5 in a position substantiallynormal to the standard 2. The bolt 19 permits the cross member to befolded to a position substantially parallel with the standard 2.

The cross member 5 has apertures in the opposite ends 8 and 9, as bestseen in FIG. 7, for receiving a suitable fastening device, such as bolts20 and 21, each having a nut thereon for connecting the lateral bracemember 6 and 7 to the opposite ends 8 and 9 respectively of the crossmember 5.

It is also desirable that the ends of the cross member 5 have a finishedappearance, therefore, suitable caps 22 and 23 are mounted on theopposite ends 8 and 9 respectively of the cross'member 5 and are sizedto be cleared by the lateral brace members 6 and 7.

The lateral brace members 6 and 7 are preferably elongated tubularmembers for strength and lightness in weight. The lateral brace members6 and 7 each have apertures in respective opposite ends thereof, asbestseen in FIG. 7, with the apertures being adapted to be aligned withthe respective aperture in the respective opposite ends 8 and'9 of thecross member 5 and adapted to receive the respective bolt 20 and 21 forpivotally connecting the lateral brace members 6 and 7 to the respectiveends of the cross member 5, thereby permitting folding of the lateralbrace members 6 and 7 to a position adjacent and substantially parallelwith the cross member 5.

It is also desirable that the lateral brace members 6 and 7 have afinished appearance particularly at the 3 upper ends thereof, therefore,suitable caps 24 and 25 are mounted on the upper end of each of thebrace members 6 and 7.

The upper end portions of the lateral brace members 6 and 7 arepivotally connected to a clamping device 26 adapted to clampingly engagethe standard 2 and to support the upper ends of the lateral bracemembers 6 and 7. The clamping device 26 is illustrated in FIG. 6 ashaving a body portion 27 adapted to conform to the shape of the standard2 and surround same. The clamping device 26 also has arm portions 28 and29 extending outwardly from the'body portion 27 and having alignedapertures (not shown) therein adapted to receive a suitable fasteningdevice, such as a bolt 30 and nut 31, adapted to effect clampingengagement between the body portion 27 and the standard 2 by moving thearm portions 28 and 29 toward each other.

Suitable pins or shafts 32 and 33 extend outwardly from opposite sidesof the body portion 27 and are adapted to extend through the aperture inthe upper end of the respective lateral brace members 6 and 7. The pinsor shafts. 32 and 33 each have the free end thereof threaded to receivesuitable nuts 34 and 35 respectively whereby the upper ends ofthelateral brace members 6 and 7 may be secured in a selected position.

The brace structure 10 is illustrated as including a pair of generallyparallel laterally spaced members 36 and 37 each having the upper endthereof pivotally mounted on a suitable clamping device 38 which isillustrated in FIG. and is similar in construction of the clampingdevice 26. The illustrated members 36 and 37 each have apertures inrespective opposite ends thereof with the aperture in the'upper end ofthe members 36 and 37 being adapted to receive a respective one of apair of pins or shafts 39 and 40 extending from the clamping device 38for pivotally mounting the members 36 and 37 respectively thereonwhereby the brace structure may be folded to a position adjacent andsubstantially parallel with the standard 2.

It is also desirable that the upper ends of the members 36 and 37 have afinished appearance, therefore, suitable caps 41 and 42 are mounted onthe upper ends of the members 36 and 37 respectively, as best seen inFIG. 5.

The brace structure 10 includes a base member 43 mounted on the lowerends of the members 36 and 37 and adapted to engage the support surface4 at a position spaced from and substantially parallel with the crossmember 5. The illustrated base member 43 has a pair of aperturesintermediate the ends thereof and adapted to be aligned with theapertures in the lower ends ofthe members 36 and 37 respectively and toreceive suitable fastening devices; such as bolts 44 and 45respectively, having suitable nuts thereon adapted to secure the basemember 43 and the members 36 and 37 together. It is also desirable thatthe ends of the base member 43 have a suitable finished appearance,therefore, caps 46 and 47 are mounted on the respective opposite ends ofthe base member 43.

The connector 14 is illustrated as having a body portion 48 adapted toconform to the shape of the standard 2 at the upper end thereof. Theconnector 14 preferably has arm portions extending from the body portion48 and adapted to receive a suitable fastening device, such as a bolthaving a nut thereon, adapted to move the arm portions toward each otherthereby effecting clamping engagement of the body portion 48 with theupper end portion 15 of the standard 2. An eye portion 49 is suitablyconnected to the arm portion as by the bolt extending through said armportions of the connector 14. The elongated line 16'is suitablyconnected to the eye portion 49 of the connector 14.

In using a portable pole constructed as illustrated and described, thecross member 5 is mounted on the lower end portion 3 of the standard 2by means of the bolt 19 and the standard is positioned in the desiredlocation and when used on a ground surface, such as in soil, lawns,parks and the like, the cross member 5 is spaced upwardly from the lowerend of the standard 2. The lower end portion 3 of the standard 2 isdriven into the soil, as by standing on the cross member 5. The standard2 is driven into the soil until the cross member is in engagement withsaid ground surface. The lower end of each of the lateral brace members6 and 7 are connected to the opposite ends 8 and 9 of the cross member5. The clamping device 26 is adjusted in position along the standard 2at a selected location to receive the other or upper ends of the bracemembers 6 and 7 on the pins or shafts 32 and 33. The bolt 30 ispositioned in the arm portions 28 and 29 with the nut 31 being tightenedto secure theclamping device 26 in position on the standard 2. Theclamping device 38 is then moved along the standard 2 to a position suchthat the base member 43 of the brace structure 10 will engage thesurface of the soil at a location spaced from and preferablysubstantially parallel with the cross member 5. The clamping member ordevice 38 is then suitably secured in said selected position.

It is desirable to resist movement of the portable pole l in response toa pull on the elongated line 16. Therefore, a first stake 50 is driveninto the soil at a position adjacent the intersection of the crossmember 5 and standard 2. The stake 50 is inclined at an acute anglerelative to the standard 2 and with the top of the stake 50 extendingsubstantially in an opposite direction to that of the elongated line 16.A pair of end stakes 51 and 52 are driven into the soil adjacent theopposite ends 8 and 9 respectively of the cross member 5 and extend inan opposite direction to the first stake 50. The end stakes 51 and 52are preferably positioned adjacent the connection of the lateral bracemembers 6 and 7 respectively. The stakes 50, 51, and 52 are alsopreferably in engagement with the cross member 5 to therebysubstantially prevent movement of said cross member. The portable pole lis now ready to receive the elongated line 16 and toresist a pull onsame after being attached to the connector 14.

The portable pole ;l is adapted to be mounted on and supported on a hardor impervious surface as best seen in FIG. 8 wherein the cross member 5is mounted on the standard 2 at the lower end thereof. Suitable weights,such as sand bags 53, are placed on the hard or impervious surface andinen'gagement with and over the cross member 5 thereby resistingmovement of the standard 2 and cross member 5.

It is to be understood that while I have illustrated and described oneform of my invention, it is not to be limited to the specific form orarrangement of parts herein described and shown.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. A portable line supporting pole comprising:

a. an elongated generally upright standard forming a pole adapted forsupporting one end of a line connected thereto and extending therefrom;

b. an elongated cross member mounted on said standard and positionedadjacent a lower end portion of said standard, said cross member beingadapted to engage a support surface and having opposite ends spacedlaterally from said standard;

c. a pair of generally inclined lateral brace members each extendingbetween said standard and a respective one of the opposite ends of saidcross member and each connected to said standard in upwardly spacedrelation to said cross member and to said cross member adjacent endsthereof;

d. a brace structure having an upper end portion mounted on saidstandard at a portion above said lateral brace member, said bracestructure having a lower unattached end portion adapted to engage thesurface at a location spaced from said cross member;

e. said brace structure having a pair of elongated generally parallelmembers each having an upper end positioned on a respective oppositeside of said standard;

f. said brace structure having means pivotallymounting the upper end ofeach of said pair of members on said standard whereby said pole iscollapsible with said brace structure movable to a positionad jacent andsubstantially parallel with said standard; and

g. means mounted on said standard adjacent an upper end thereof forconnecting and supporting an end of an elongated flexible line memberextending from said standard in the same direction as said bracestructure extends therefrom, said direction being substantially normalto said cross member.

2. A portable pole as set forth in claim 1 wherein:

a. said standard has the lower end portion thereof extending downwardlybeyond said cross member and adapted to extend into the support surface;

b. a plurality of stakes extend into the support surface adjacent saidcross member;

c. the plurality of stakes are each in engagement with said cross memberand inclined relative thereto to extend thereover and hold same downrelative to the support surface; and

d. said stakes are each inclined relative to said standard andpositioned on respective opposite sides of said cross member in a mannerto resist movement of said cross member relative to the support surface.

' 3. A portable pole as set forth in claim 1 wherein said meanspivotally mounting the upper end of each of said pair of mem bers onsaid standard is movable along said standard whereby the spacing of saidupper end of said brace structure is adjustable relative to the supportsurface to adjust the angle of inclination of the brace structure.

4. A portable pole as set forth in claim 3 wherein:

a. said pivotal mounting means includes:

1. a clamping member adapted to clampingly engage said standard andhaving opposed portions extending therefrom and each pivotallysupporting the upper end of a respective one of said pair of parallelmembers; and

2. a base member connected to the lower end of each of said pair ofparallel members, said base member being adapted to engage the supportsurface at a position substantially parallel with and spaced from saidcross member; an

b. a clamping member clampingly engages said standard and has a pair ofopposed portions extending therefrom and each pivotally supporting arespective end of a respective one of said lateral brace members.

5. A portable line supporting pole comprising:

a. an elongated generally upright tubular standard having an upper endand a lower end and forming a pole adapted for supporting one end of alinecon nected thereto and extending therefrom, said upper end having aclosure thereon;

b. an elongated cross member mounted on said standard and positionedadjacent the lower end of said standard, said cross member being adaptedto engage a support surface and having opposite ends spaced laterallyfrom said standard; I j

c. a pair of generally inclined lateral brace members each having oneend thereof connected to a respective one of the opposite ends of saidcross member;

d. means mounted on said standard in upwardly spaced relation to saidcross member for connecting the other end of each of said lateral bracemembers to said standard;

e. a pair of elongated generally parallel tubular members each having anupper endand a lower end;

f. means adjustably mounted on said standard and above the other end ofeach of said lateral brace members for pivotally connecting the upperend of each of said pair of parallel members to said standard forrelative pivotal movement about an axis parallel to said cross memberfor movement of said parallel members from a collapsed to an extendedposition;

g. a base member-connected to the lower end of each of said pair ofparallel members, said base member being adapted to engage the supportsurface at a position substantially parallel with and spaced from saidcross member when in pole erected position; and

h. means mounted on said standard above said pair of parallel membersand adjacent the upper end thereof for receiving and supporting an endof an elongated flexible line member extending from said standard in thesame direction as said parallel members extend from said standard, saiddirection being substantially normal to said cross member.

6. A portable pole as set forth in claim 5 wherein:

a. said standard has the lower end portion thereof extending downwardlybeyond said cross member and adapted to extend into the support surface;

b. a plurality of stakes extend into the support surface adjacent and inengagement with said cross member; and v c. said stakes are eachinclined relative to said standard and positioned on respective oppositesides of said cross member and extend thereover in a manner to resistmovement of said cross member relative to the support surface.

7. A portable pole as set forth in claim 6 wherein said means forconnecting said lateral brace members to said standard and said meansfor pivotally connecting effect movement of same toward each otherthereby effecting clamping engagement of said body portion with saidstandard; and

(1. means extending from said body portion for pivotally supporting andconnecting respective members to said standard.

1. A portable line supporting pole comprising: a. an elongated generallyupright standard forming a pole adapted for supporting one end of a lineconnected thereto and extending therefrom; b. an elongated cross membermounted on said standard and positioned adjacent a lower end portion ofsaid standard, said cross member being adapted to engage a supportsurface and having opposite ends spaced laterally from said standard; c.a pair of generally inclined lateral brace members each extendingbetween said standard and a respective one of the opposite ends of saidcross member and each connected to said standard in upwardly spacedrelation to said cross member and to said cross member adjacent endsthereof; d. a brace structure having an upper end portion mounted onsaid standard at a portion above said lateral brace member, said bracestructure having a lower unattached end portion adapted to engage thesurface at a location spaced from saiD cross member; e. said bracestructure having a pair of elongated generally parallel members eachhaving an upper end positioned on a respective opposite side of saidstandard; f. said brace structure having means pivotally mounting theupper end of each of said pair of members on said standard whereby saidpole is collapsible with said brace structure movable to a positionadjacent and substantially parallel with said standard; and g. meansmounted on said standard adjacent an upper end thereof for connectingand supporting an end of an elongated flexible line member extendingfrom said standard in the same direction as said brace structure extendstherefrom, said direction being substantially normal to said crossmember.
 2. A portable pole as set forth in claim 1 wherein: a. saidstandard has the lower end portion thereof extending downwardly beyondsaid cross member and adapted to extend into the support surface; b. aplurality of stakes extend into the support surface adjacent said crossmember; c. the plurality of stakes are each in engagement with saidcross member and inclined relative thereto to extend thereover and holdsame down relative to the support surface; and d. said stakes are eachinclined relative to said standard and positioned on respective oppositesides of said cross member in a manner to resist movement of said crossmember relative to the support surface.
 2. a base member connected tothe lower end of each of said pair of parallel members, said base memberbeing adapted to engage the support surface at a position substantiallyparallel with and spaced from said cross member; an b. a clamping memberclampingly engages said standard and has a pair of opposed portionsextending therefrom and each pivotally supporting a respective end of arespective one of said lateral brace members.
 3. A portable pole as setforth in claim 1 wherein said means pivotally mounting the upper end ofeach of said pair of members on said standard is movable along saidstandard whereby the spacing of said upper end of said brace structureis adjustable relative to the support surface to adjust the angle ofinclination of the brace structure.
 4. A portable pole as set forth inclaim 3 wherein: a. said pivotal mounting means includes:
 5. A portableline supporting pole comprising: a. an elongated generally uprighttubular standard having an upper end and a lower end and forming a poleadapted for supporting one end of a line connected thereto and extendingtherefrom, said upper end having a closure thereon; b. an elongatedcross member mounted on said standard and positioned adjacent the lowerend of said standard, said cross member being adapted to engage asupport surface and having opposite ends spaced laterally from saidstandard; c. a pair of generally inclined lateral brace members eachhaving one end thereof connected to a respective one of the oppositeends of said cross member; d. means mounted on said standard in upwardlyspaced relation to said cross member for connecting the other end ofeach of said lateral brace members to said standard; e. a pair ofelongated generally parallel tubular members each having an upper endand a lower end; f. means adjustably mounted on said standard and abovethe other end of each of said lateral brace members for pivotallyconnecting the upper end of each of said pair of parallel members tosaid standard for relative pivotal movement about an axis parallel tosaid cross member for movement of said parallel members from a collapsedto an extended position; g. a base member connected to the lower end ofeach of said pair of parallel members, said base member being adapted toengage the support surface at A position substantially parallel with andspaced from said cross member when in pole erected position; and h.means mounted on said standard above said pair of parallel members andadjacent the upper end thereof for receiving and supporting an end of anelongated flexible line member extending from said standard in the samedirection as said parallel members extend from said standard, saiddirection being substantially normal to said cross member.
 6. A portablepole as set forth in claim 5 wherein: a. said standard has the lower endportion thereof extending downwardly beyond said cross member andadapted to extend into the support surface; b. a plurality of stakesextend into the support surface adjacent and in engagement with saidcross member; and c. said stakes are each inclined relative to saidstandard and positioned on respective opposite sides of said crossmember and extend thereover in a manner to resist movement of said crossmember relative to the support surface.
 7. A portable pole as set forthin claim 6 wherein said means for connecting said lateral brace membersto said standard and said means for pivotally connecting the upper endof each of said pair of parallel members to said standard each includes:a. a body portion adapted to surround and engage said standard; b. apair of arm portions extending from said body portion; c. means engagingsaid arm portions and adapted to effect movement of same toward eachother thereby effecting clamping engagement of said body portion withsaid standard; and d. means extending from said body portion forpivotally supporting and connecting respective members to said standard.